After visiting your messy storage unit a few times, you might be ready to set aside a Saturday to spend reorganizing your space. Unfortunately, if you aren't careful, your simple cleaning project might turn into a dangerous ordeal. Here are two safety tips you should remember while you organize:
1: Close Your Storage Unit Door
If the day you picked to clean out your storage unit is nice, you might be tempted to throw open the door and enjoy a nice breeze while you work. Unfortunately, leaving your door wide open might be risky. Here are a few reasons you should always close that storage unit door while you are inside your unit:
- Security: Although you might imagine masked strangers robbing storage units, research has shown that most storage unit thefts are perpetrated by fellow tenants. Since other tenants have easy access to the storage facility and might be familiar with how often other customers visit their units, keeping your belongings under wraps is a good idea. As you work, keep your door closed so that other people can't see inside of your unit and stare at all of your stuff.
- Object Placement: Leaving your door open can also give you a false sense of space that might prompt you to stack too much stuff close to the door. Unfortunately, if belongings rest against the door after it is shut, they might fall outwards onto you the next time you open your unit. However, if you organize your space with the door closed, you will be more mindful of the space and keep things away from that entrance—since you have to get out of the unit.
- Unit Condition: If your storage unit has a large, metal roll-up garage door, it might cover the majority of your ceiling when your unit is open. If you work inside of your unit with the door open, you might not be able to see structural issues such as leaky roofs, damaged trusses, or broken metal garage door tracks. Fortunately, by working with the door closed, you can inspect your unit carefully to spot problems that might cause roof collapses, floods, or rodent infestations.
If the idea of working inside of a closed space makes you a little claustrophobic, consider closing the door most of the way, leaving a few feet at the bottom to allow incoming air and daylight.
2: Watch Out For Idling Cars
Sure, you might only visit that storage unit once in awhile, but some people visit their units every single day. For example, businesses who use storage units to house extra inventory or equipment might visit their unit daily to retrieve merchandise or to unload new deliveries. However, don't assume that those cars and passing delivery trucks are harmless. Even though you are out of their way, running vehicles produce loads of dangerous carbon monoxide that can collect inside of your unit—especially if your neighbor is parked close to your space.
As you work, try to avoid listening to loud music or headphones that might impair your ability to listen for idling cars. Instead, bring a friend or a family member to chat with during your project. If you notice parked cars near your unit, take a few minutes to ask the owner to turn off the engine. Also, know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. People can become nauseous, disoriented, sleepy, or short of breath after being exposed to Carbon monoxide. You might feel silly confronting other tenants about their cars, but keep in mind that Carbon monoxide can kill you in minutes.
By making a few small adjustments on your cleaning day, you might be able to stay safe and protect your belongings. Consider clicking here, to read more.
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